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Souris Island Case Study - Populations

This document describes a study on the population growth of deer mice on Souris Island over 10 years. 20 breeding pairs of deer mice were introduced to the isolated island and their population was sampled each year using live traps. The results showed the population grew rapidly in the first 3 years, then exploded between years 4-5 before leveling off between years 5-7 and maintaining a steady level after that. The document provides data on the annual trap counts and asks questions to analyze population size, density, growth rates and factors influencing changes over time.

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63 views6 pages

Souris Island Case Study - Populations

This document describes a study on the population growth of deer mice on Souris Island over 10 years. 20 breeding pairs of deer mice were introduced to the isolated island and their population was sampled each year using live traps. The results showed the population grew rapidly in the first 3 years, then exploded between years 4-5 before leveling off between years 5-7 and maintaining a steady level after that. The document provides data on the annual trap counts and asks questions to analyze population size, density, growth rates and factors influencing changes over time.

Uploaded by

api-477617112
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Biology 30 Case Study

Population Estimation, Density and Growth on Souris Island


Name: ______________________________________

Purpose: To study the growth of a population by examining sampling data from a simulated field study.

Background: Populations are difficult to count accurately due to the nature of the organisms. Most populations are
actually estimates based on sample measurements. There are many different ways to sample populations and
extrapolate population size. This experiment used live trapping in a line transect to give an idea of distribution as well as
population size.

Deer mice (Peromyscus maniculatus) are a small mouse-like species, common throughout mainland North America.
This study used a catch and release protocol on Souris island with an area of 1.0 km2 within a large lake. Its habitat is
ideally suited for deer mice, but is too far from the mainland to allow them or other small mammals to migrate to it.
However, natural predators of the deer mice do live on the island. A biologist released 20 breeding pairs of deer mice
on the island. They were left alone for two years to establish a population. Each year, for the next seven years, the deer
mice population was measured and recorded.

Experimental Design: The deer mice were live trapped at random locations over the same 5 day period (July 10 to 14)
each year. Animals were captured on day one, marked, and then released. Marked animals were only counted once.
The traps were set in the same locations each year. To make the estimate more accurate, three separate trap lines were
randomly located; the trapping results were combined each year and then averaged. The transects (trap lines) were
assumed to capture all animals in an area equivalent to 500m 2.

Observations :

Table 1: Trapping results for Peromyscus maniculatus over a ten year period in a 500 m2 area.

Year Line 1 Line 2 Line 3


1 7 1 4
2 7 5 6
3 12 8 7
4 12 18 30
5 48 61 47
6 57 55 50
7 29 27 22
8 30 26 25
9 26 29 20
10 26 24 28
Analysis: Complete all the following, showing all your work, including units and significant digits.

1. Determine the total number of animals trapped annually. Calculate the average catch for each year of the
investigation. Tabulate your results. Include a Title.
Title: ______________________________________________________________________________________

Year Total number trapped Average number trapped /line

2. Using the graph paper attached, construct a graph of the average number trapped (population) in a 500 m 2 area
during the ten years of trapping. Plot the average population numbers against the time in years. Include all
elements of a proper graph including connecting the points together.

3. What are the experimental variables for this study:


a. Manipulated:

b. Responding:

c. Controlled (include two):

4. If a different mouse species had been living on Souris Island when the deermice population was introduced, create a
hypothesis for how this might have affected the population growth of the deermice (recall: a hypothesis should be in
the form of an if, then, because statement)
5. Looking at the graph, how would you describe the curve/rate of growth during years one to three (use language
used in class)? What might account for this growth rate?

6. During what time span was growth most rapid? How could one account for this “population explosion”?

7. What happened to the population between years five and seven? What might be responsible for this growth
pattern?

8. Based on the trap data accounting for 500 m 2,


a. Calculate the total population of deermice on Souris island during year 1 and during year 6.
(Hint: you will first need to calculate the density of each year, then calculate the population based on the
density for the island: 1.0 Km2 = 1,000,000 m2)

Year 1 Year 6
b. Using the above calculations, determine the growth rate of the deermice population between year 1 and 6.
Show your work.

c. Calculate the per capita growth rate of the mice from year 1 to 6. Show your work.

9. Calculate the population density for year 3. Show your work.

10. Positive and negative results can occur when calculating a change in population density. What does it mean to have
a positive change and negative change in population densities?
Souris Island Case Study Assessment

Marked by:__________________________________________

Skill 1 (Initiating and Planning)


Question 3.
Manipulated variable (1) Responding (1) Controlled (2)
/4
Question 4.
Reasonable, descriptive, hypothesis provided. If (1), then (1), because (2)
/4
Total: /8 %

Skill 3 (Analyze and Interpet)


Question 1.
Table is filled (3 marks) (-0.5 marks for missing/incorrect values) and descriptive title used (1)
/4
Question 2.
Graph includes:
/6
- Appropriate, descriptive title (1)
- Labelled axis (1) including units (1)
- Data is plotted accurately (1)
- Data points are plotted and connected via a line (1)
- Graph is appropriately spaced, taking up a large portion of the graph paper (1)
Question 5.
Rate of growth is described AND a rationale for growth given (1 mark each)
/2
Question 6.
Time frame is idenitifed and rationale for population explosion (1 mark for each)
/2
Question 7.
Identify event between year 5-7, AND reason for growth is described ( 1 mark for each)
/2
Question 8 a.
Total population of deer mice is calculated with work shown AND Density is calculated for each
/4
year (2 marks for each).
Question 8 b.
Growth rate between year 1 and 6 is calculated (1 mark for answer, 1 mark for work)
/2
Question 8 c.
Per capita growth rate between year 1 and 6 is calculated (1 mark for answer, 1 mark for work)
/2
Question 9.
Population density for year 3 is calculated (1 mark for answer, 1 mark for work)
/2
Question 10.
What does a positive AND negative density change refer to? (1 mark for each)
/2
Total: /28 %
Knowledge Outcome D2/3: Populations + Skill 4 (communication & teamwork)

Total __________/36 ________%

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